Changes of angiopoietin-2 levels in serum of rats with acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate dynamic changes of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in acute pancreatitis (AP) and its significance. Methods Forty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, acute pancreatitis model group (AP 6 h group, AP 12 h group, AP 24 h group and AP 48 h group). AP group were killed at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after modeling. The control group was killed after the second injection of 24 hours. The levels of serum Ang-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA). The expression of phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxy kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB, Akt) mRNA expression levels were detected by Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results The serum level of Ang-2 in the AP group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P=0.032). The expression of PI3K/Akt mRNA in pancreatic tissue of AP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.028), and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased (P=0.026, 0.011). The level of Ang-2 in 6-24 h was positively correlated with Ang-2 mRNA in pancreas (r=0.392, P=0.034). The expression of PI3K and Akt was positively correlated with Ang-2 mRNA level (r=0.432, 0.451, P=0.029) and the levels of serum TNF-α and IL-6 were positively correlated with Ang-2 mRNA levels in pancreas (r=0.412, 0.389, P=0.035). Conclusion Serum Ang-2 level of AP groupis significantly higher than that of the control group. Ang-2 can activate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and may be one of the reasons of high TNF-α and IL-6 levels in AP. SerumAng-2 level detectionmay provide the basis for early assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis. Key words: Acute pancreatitis; Angiopoietin-2; Phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxy kinase/protein kinase B; Serological examination